Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran contends that his current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, but the VA examiner's opinion was deemed insufficient.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to inadequate examination and need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last examination, and a new evaluation is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the October 2017 statement of the case, including service connection for hearing loss and increased ratings for various hand conditions and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the most recent VA examination showing hearing acuity levels of Level I in both ears.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU rating prior to July 9, 2012. The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU rating for referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to his death before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his current level of disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that mechanical application of the Rating Schedule to the audiometric findings established entitlement to a 40 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has found that the RO did not substantially comply with a previous remand directive and thus, this matter must be remanded for further evidentiary development.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development of issues including service connection for right leg/ankle, right knee, and left leg/ankle disabilities; increased rating for facial scars; and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) and hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear pain. Service connection for a right foot disability is also REMANDED.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for neck disability and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep disability, and right leg disability. Additional evidence is needed to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations, worsening symptoms, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's request to continue the appeal of service connection for a left hand disability and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus was withdrawn during the October 2021 Board hearing.,A claim to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, as new evidence related to current bilateral hearing loss has been submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, left knee condition, and right knee condition are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for right ear hearing loss is dismissed as the April 2019 rating decision implicitly granted this condition.,Evidence received subsequent to the November 2013 denial of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been found new and material, thus reopening the claim. The case is remanded for further development.